The Village of Rösch X780

"NATSU! STOP IT! YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR!" Happy screamed.

"It's not… It's not enough… What they've done… It's too easy for them…"

"SNAP OUT OF IT!" Happy shouted, flying full speed and crashing into him. He hit the ground hard, seemingly snapping him out of his daze.

"What… happened…"

"It's over, Natsu… it's over…" he whispered, as Natsu keeled over asleep, never noticing one man running for his very life away from the monster he just witnessed.

Three Years Prior

"What… (sniff) what do you mean by that?" Happy whimpered, almost terrified of the look in Natsu's eye. He'd never seen anything like that before. He'd never heard Natsu say anything about a purpose.

"It's time you learn, Happy, who I am, and why I'm here. It's time I accepted it…" he said.

Natsu started by telling Happy his story. His life with dragons, and how they were slaughtered in front of him. How he wandered, wondering what his life's purpose was and what his father's wish meant.

"I know now, Happy. I exist to kill Acnologia. His existence has taken everything from me. It's time I return the favor."

"But Natsu! That's not possible! If even Igneel couldn't do it, how are you supposed to! Do you even know where he is?" Happy was astonished. The gentle, happy-go-lucky person that was his best friend and father figure was just empty. His past was darker than he could have ever imagined, and while he truly felt for Natsu, there was nothing that could be done.

"I don't know where to find him...And even if I did find him, he'd kill me…" Natsu answered, gazing at the ground.

Happy seemed to think that was progress, so he flew over to Natsu, buried his head in his chest, and asked, "So what are we going to do Natsu?"

"I'm going to train… I'm going to get stronger… Every day the fire that burns inside of me will grow until I find that menace of a creature. Judgment will land upon him. I swear on the grave of me and my fathers, Acnologia shall die by my hand."

Happy's eyes grew wide as he realized the depth of what was happening. "Will that really make you happy, Natsu? It won't bring them back…"

"I know that… Igneel used to tell me... that we can't change the past, but we can live on for those who couldn't make it to the future. For his wish, his future he couldn't reach, I will live on. Will you come with me, Happy? This is for my fathers and our friends from Rösch. This is my life's purpose. The next few years are going to be hell, but I need this. My life means nothing if I can't do what I exist to do." Natsu was whispering now, the reality of what he was suggesting was overwhelming, but he knew it was true. He wanted to go alone, fate took too many things from him for him to trust they wouldn't be taken again, but he needed Happy with him. To keep him tethered to earth. To keep him from himself.

Happy thought for a moment. He knew this was wrong. Vengeance didn't solve anything. But he couldn't leave Natsu. Natsu needed someone with him, someone to share the burden of what happened. To cry with him, and to force him to keep walking. It also made a lot of sense. If Igneel's wish was really to get rid of Acnologia, and he ceded that responsibility to Natsu, his quest was understandable and necessary. Right? But if that was the case, why was he getting such an eerie feeling from Natsu?

"I...I will, Natsu. Just...just promise me something."

"Name it."

"Don't lose yourself to this...I need a Natsu in my life..."

Natsu chuckled at this and ruffled Happy's fur.

"Of course. That's what you're here for!"

"Aye, sir!" he exclaimed, finally feeling a little better.

Neither were healed yet, physically or mentally, from what just happened, but Natsu found his purpose, and Happy would be willing to follow him through the seventh circle of hell if it meant keeping him from losing himself. They decided to spend the night there, resting and recovering, before setting out the next day. The journey had begun, a journey passed down to him by two flames.

1 Year Later - Tempest Guild Hall

Late one evening, a young man opened the doors to a relatively small building. It seemed more like a bar than anything, but it had quite a few people in it. Several people were passed out by the bar, the rest of them were drunk or getting there. In the corner there was a group of people playing cards, in the other corner was what sounded like a meeting of some sort, their talk exclusively whispers. Almost dead center of the room sat 4 men, one of them was enormously muscular. He was bald, had a scar on his right cheek, and wore a shirt with a skull on it. He sat casually smoking a cigarette as the young man entered the room.

"Looks like we have company, eh? What's your name kid? You lookin' for mommy or somethin'?"

The other 3 men at the table laughed, but the young man ignored them. None of them could see the hooded man's face, or really any part of him. Just the outline of what appeared to be a male, maybe a little over 5 feet tall, and he wore a dark cloak covering every part of him.

"Hey, short stack! I asked you a question! You gonna answer, or are we gonna have to make things-"

"Silence yourself, meathead. I'm not here for you," the figure replied. His voice wasn't deep, or menacing, but there was something about it that was...threatening...

A hush swept over the room. Everyone eyed each other nervously. This guy had to be out of his mind. Tempest may have been a relatively new and small-time dark guild, but it was ruthless nonetheless, and they had started to get a reputation. None were known more than that very muscular man, who went by the moniker 'The Viking', for strength and brutality. Even the guild master himself, known only as 'Dragon', was afraid of The Viking. No one messed with him for fear of his wrath. After a few moments, the whispers started, each and every word heard by the cloaked man.

"Is he out of his mind?"

"He looks like a kid!"

"Does he even know who that is?"

"Even I feel for that guy, he's gonna be in a world of hurt."

"Oh, but of course, kid. Where are my manners?" The muscular man stood up and spoke. "My name, well that's not important. You can just call me... The Viking."

"I told you once, I'm not here for you."

"Well maybe, you'll just have to be taught a lesson, in MANNERS," The Viking shouted, kicking the table out of his way and throwing a punch at the cloaked figure. The punch was full of power. The Viking was a master of hand-to-hand combat, and he used his magic to make his strikes immensely powerful. When the dust settled, the entire guild gasped.

"HE CAUGHT IT?"

"I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT WAS POSSIBLE!"

"Not bad kid, but yo-AGHHHHHHGHH!" as soon as it had begun, it was over. The Viking erupted into white flames and fell down, covered in burns.

"I will ask you this one time." the cloaked figure said, without moving his head to look at the stunned members of Tempest. "Where is the man who goes by the name 'Dragon'?"

There were several moments of silence, no one quite knew what to do. Their strongest member, Viking, known for his strength and brutality, was just taken down in one shot.

"Who wants to know, punk? Get out of out- AGHHHHHH!" a second man that had been sitting near Viking erupted in orange flames, meeting the same fate as the first.

"I asked a question, and I do not intend to ask again." the cloaked man growled.

"HEY! GET HIM!"

"IT'S OUR ENTIRE GUILD AGAINST SOME KID! JUST KILL HIM!"

Shouts of agreement rang out, as members pulled out swords and daggers charging the cloaked young man.

"Such foolishness… Fire Dragon's BLAST WAVE," he announced, pressing his palms together, orange flames erupting from all around him, taking out nearly every member at once. The guildhall was shaking, scorch marks covered the walls and floor. The cloaked figure approached one of the men who was mildly burnt but managed to protect himself, for the most part, staying conscious.

"Now, because I'm a nice guy I will repeat myself. Where. Is. Dragon?" he growled. The man being held was trembling in terror, he could see the burning eyes of a beast, each had a vertical scar over top of them and looked to be almost alive.

"He's… upstairs… just… just let me go… please…" the man whimpered, terrified of the beast that held him.

"Now see, was that so difficult? Mind if I make a suggestion?" The cloaked man seemed almost amused.

"Ser-seriously?"

"Work on your hospitality," and he dropped him walking up the stairs to this so-called Dragon.

"WHAT IS GOING ON- What on earth-land?" His voice went from a shout to a whisper. This new figure came out of an upstairs room. He was an average looking man, not big and muscular, but not frail either. Not too tall and not too short. He wore a dark suit and had short black hair. As he exited, he noticed his entire guild down for the count, the members smoking and groaning in pain. As he turned his head, he saw one figure approaching him.

"Who are y-" he couldn't even finish the sentence before the cloaked man knocked him unconscious with a blow to the temple.

"Idiots…" the cloaked man said, hoisting the man known as 'Dragon' on his shoulders, and exiting the guild. Walking through the guild he noticed one of the men that had been sitting near Viking trying to stand.

"Who-who are you?" he managed to get out.

The cloaked man walked to the entrance and knelt down. Igniting his hand in white flames, he burned the mark of a crown on the ground and walked away.

Several Hours Later

"Natsu, I really don't think we should be doing this." A small, blue cat was speaking to a cloaked man as they walked through the forest away from a seemingly deserted town.

"It's a good way to train, and we need the jewels," Natsu replied, though somewhere in his mind, he agreed.

"Destroying dark guilds? Bounty hunting? This is a bad business, Natsu. It's dangerous."

"I know, that's why I don't take you with me," he replied simply.

The cat sighed and shook his head. He knew they shouldn't be doing this. They had just left a rendezvous location with a man that placed a bounty on the capture of another man named 'Dragon'. He offered one million jewels to anyone bringing him in alive, and wouldn't pay if he was dead. Apparently, Dragon got his nickname due to the number of dark guilds he started. His reach was so wide, it was thought of as a massive pair of wings, hence the name 'Dragon.' In fairness, most of them failed rather quickly, which is why the reward was only one million, but Dragon was never caught, and thus built quite a network in the underground.

"Look, Happy, I know what you think. But it's honestly not so bad. It's not totally illegal to go bounty hunting if we don't kill anyone. Besides, that guy was a jerk anyway. Have you heard of what he does? All his guilds specialize in torture and thievery, they rob merchants, kidnap and torture people they think have knowledge about places they want to steal from, and then steal from those places. We did a big favor to Ishgar by having him locked up."

"I know Natsu. We had this discussion before. I just..." Happy sighed, and ceased his complaints.

The two continued walking, Natsu with a blank mind, and Happy wondering if Natsu truly would fall off soon.

"Thanks, Happy."

"What for?" the cat asked, confused.

"For being here. I-I don't think I could still- I couldn't go on if I lost you too… Thank you."

"I'll follow you forever Natsu, you know that." Happy replied, glad to hear some resemblance of the old Natsu back.

This practice continued for two years, Natsu would train in forests and mountains, as far away from people as possible, and every month or so, when they ran out of the few jewels they actually spent, they would go to a place called a 'bounty office.' They were normally found in seemingly abandoned and run-down buildings and few people were ever seen in or around them. They listed known criminals, what they had done, what the buyer wanted to be done with them and/or their associates, and the amount being paid. One thing Happy made sure of, and Natsu agreed willingly, was that they took no assassination requests. They destroyed guilds, captured guild members, had masters arrested, and destroyed buildings, but they never killed... At least not intentionally. Some of the members of the guilds they were hired to destroy might have died from the amount of flames he used, but he never stuck around to find out. The process was repetitive. Find a request for either dark guild destruction or a dark guild member/master capture, enter the guild, destroy it, take the captive if necessary, and walk out, the only trace he left was a crown he emblazoned with white flames at the entrance of every guild. Happy would accompany Natsu to the outskirts of town, before finding a location to hide and wait for his return. He didn't particularly like being left behind, but it was necessary. Happy was too recognizable, even with a disguise. A talking blue cat was hard to cover up. So he relented after reasoning that if Natsu wanted to maintain secrecy, Happy would only be seen with him when he wasn't on a job. Luckily, they rarely needed jobs, so Happy wasn't constantly alone, and he even trained with Natsu sometimes, developing his strength to easily carry about 'one-and-a-half Natsu's' as Happy put it, and able to reach a 'max speed' for almost 5 minutes, which would cover the distance between towns if necessary. It had been 2 years since the first request, and 3 years since the destruction of Rösch, when Natsu stumbled across a request to capture a man named Barreth Porla.

Barreth Porla: WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE

Crimes: Mass Murder, Arson, Establishment of at least 3 dark guilds, and Theft

Leads: Believed to reside in Shadowstep Guild Hall

Reward: 5 million jewels

'Hmmm,' Natsu thought. 'The pay is good, and it's definitely an accomplishable task. Walk in, get the information, get the target, and walk out. It should be simple! So why do I feel so uneasy...'

He decided to take the request anyway, exiting the office without a trace of ever being there. After about 15 minutes, he caught up with Happy.

"Another one?" Happy asked, grimly.

"Hey come on, don't be like that! This is a big one, 5 million! We won't need to do another one for at least a few months! Plus, they don't care if he lives or not, so even if he pulls the same thing the last guy did we still get paid."

"You shouldn't be so happy about that, Natsu…" Happy frowned. The previous request they had gone on only about 3 weeks ago. The request should have been big, about 2 million jewels, but the request was specifically asking for him alive, and the pay would be cut to 500,000 if he turned up dead. They caught him alive, but somehow just before they got to the collection rendezvous, the guy woke up, bit through the ropes, and killed himself. That should have been a shocking experience, but Natsu was a hardened warrior. After witnessing the deaths of people whom he loved dearly, the death of one he didn't care for didn't phase him. He was just disappointed that the reward would be cut. He apologized to the client, but unfortunately, that didn't change anything, so he got short-changed hard. This time, however, on the off-chance that it happened again, they'd still be paid in full.

"I never said I was happy about it. I don't want to kill them, but I take comfort in knowing that they aren't a threat to anyone else anymore. It's how I deal with it…" he muttered the last part.

Happy knew it wasn't easy on him. Happy had always known that this path was wrong, but couldn't really do much about it. He convinced himself, like Natsu had, that they were ridding the world of evil, so even though they were hurting people en mass, it was ok. And, it paid the bills extremely well. A bounty hunter as skilled as Natsu was not someone to be messed with in terms of earnings. Had he been full time, he'd be filthy rich, especially considering that they rarely spent any of the cash. Honestly, they made so much, that Natsu started saving most of it without saying anything to Happy. He had about 5 million jewels hidden away in a forest outside of a town called Magnolia that they had passed on their way to a job.

"Shadowstep… I don't know why but this request feels different… Have we heard that name before? It doesn't sound familiar, but it makes me uneasy."

"No, I don't think so. Are you sure you want to do this? Maybe it's a sign."

"Don't be so superstitious, I'm sure I'll be fine."

So they continued, eventually coming to a town known as Violet. They stopped in the forest just outside the town. It looked like any other town with a dark guild, no one out in the open, the only building with people in it was a pub, and the doors and windows were shut and locked tight.

"I'll be back in a bit, Happy. Wait here."

"Natsu," Happy added tentatively.

"What is it?"

"Be careful on this one… Please…"

Natsu gave a grin, donned his cloak, and set out for Shadowstep. The town was quiet as a ghost. All eyes were on him, the mysterious hooded figure approaching a large building with dark specters painted on it and a sign in large, black lettering that said 'SHADOWSTEP.'

'This is all so normal,' he thought as he approached the guildhall. 'Why do I have this feeling? Right, whatever. Focus. I have a job to do.' He took a deep breath and opened the door.

This place looked and smelled terrible. On the outside, it looked like a building of mighty warriors, walls of stone and wood, a mountainous structure, but on the inside, it was worse than a ratty pub. Booze, dirt, blood, and every other substance you could think of was on the floor. The bar was overcrowded, and everyone who wasn't at the bar was in a circle at the far side of the room, cheering and betting on the winner of two large men with knives stabbing at each other. He wasn't sure if it was truly a fight to the death, but they looked angry. As per usual, after taking a few steps, eyes started to drift towards him, the unknown cloaked figure entering foreign territory. He decided once again that he would not harm anyone who brought forth information willingly. So, he stopped in the middle of the room, nearly every pair of eyes, including the two that had been previously fighting, locked on him. He kept his gaze straight forward, both eyes closed, focusing entirely on sound.

"I am feeling quite reasonable today, but even reasonable men have patience limits. I would like to ask for information, perhaps this can be civil? There really is no need to resort to violence, especially between guildmates," he added, nodding slightly towards the two that had been previously fighting.

Immediately the room erupted in laughter, no one could believe a five-foot something pipsqueak in a cloak would walk into the guildhall of SHADOWSTEP and demand information, especially in such a way.

"SURE THING KID!"

"WHAT, YOU MISSING YOUR MOM AND DAD? WANT US TO HELP YOU LOOK?"

"WE DON'T HAVE ANY CANDY PIPSQUEAK!"

The room continued to laugh for another two minutes before they all noticed that the cloaked figure hadn't moved a single inch.

"Now, I'm going to ask this once, and once only. You seem to lack not only dignity and reason, but also creativity, so I will keep this short and simple. Where is Barreth Porla? Is he or isn't he in this building, and if he is not where can I find him?"

"This hotshot is looking for Barreth? He's gotta be joking!"

"Yeah, right kid. Like we'd tell you where he is!"

Once again laughter rang out from all ends of the room, except for one man. That man happened to be the barkeeper, and his eyes widened with realization.

"Go, home kid! If you're not gone in 10 seconds, you're dead meat!"

"Wait, I think I kno-" the barkeep tried to explain.

"Shut it barkeep, or I'll knock you out too!"

"I don't think you understand, this guy is-"

"Did you hear me!"

The man was glaring at the guy behind the bar, arm flexed and ready to strike.

Natsu sighed, and stretched his arms slightly, before spreading them straight out to the sides.

"What utter foolishness…" he muttered. "Fire Dragon's BLAST WAVE!" he shouted as he brought his two palms together. Scorching hot orange flames jetted out from under him, shooting out in all directions. Instantly, around half the guild was on the ground smoking, but this was no small-time guild, there were formidable members who blocked the fire, burned and shocked, but definitely not down for the count.

"Now that I've added some minor persuasion, perhaps I can get information. This will be the last time I ask, and you're lucky I feel reasonable. Where can I find a man by the name of Barreth Porla?"

The barkeeper managed to duck below the blast before it was released, as he knew what was coming. He recognized this guy. Dark guilds knew bounty hunters, and this guy was one of the most well known out of all of them. A short, cloaked man would enter a dark guild, walk until he arrived at the center, and demanded information. If he was not given information immediately, he would unleash a torrent of flames, destroying everything around him, and nearly killing the weaker members. Anyone strong enough to survive the first wave and anyone stupid enough to attack him directly would be hit with a glowing white fire, while the initial clearing blast was a scorching orange. He'd get his information or his target and leave. The guild would be in shambles if standing, the members would almost all be unconscious, some barely alive, and the only thing he left would be the scorched picture of a crown. The few who saw him create it all said the same thing. Before leaving, he would kneel by the entrance, his hand would light up with white fire, and he would press it to the ground, before standing and walking away.

The barkeep once again tried to warn them, but they wouldn't listen.

"GUYS! I'M TELLING YOU I KNOW-"

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS GUY DOING?"
"KILL HIM!"

Once again, Natsu sighed. Couldn't they be reasonable for once? Dark guilds weren't even a challenge for him anymore, big meathead tries for a right hook, which he blocks and ignites the man in white flames. The rest would seem caught off guard, but for some reason keep going. He'd cast an area of effect spell, his personal favorites being blast wave and roar, knocking out everyone. He'd find anyone still conscious, get his information, and leave. It was almost boring.

"Unbelievable... You are all the same…" Natsu muttered, before pretty much exactly what he thought would happen, happened. He blocked the muscly guy and enveloped him in white flames. This time, during the pause, he spoke. "Hey, barkeep! I got questions for ya! Keep your head down!"

The barkeep widened his eyes, and immediately ducked and covered his head.

Natsu inhaled and took a stance, leaving his left-hand flat pointed to the floor and his right flat and pointed to the ceiling. "O' flames that burn white with holy light, let yourself be free. White Fire Dragon King's FLAMING TWISTER!" he shouted, flames from his right hand pouring out to meet those of his left hand, creating a massive tornado of white fire. He canceled the spell seconds after casting, trying to prevent needless deaths, but the damage was still immense. The guildhall was unrecognizable. Everyone was unconscious and smoking, some who were too close would be lucky to survive the encounter. Natsu walked over to the barkeep slowly, who was still trembling, but not burnt too badly thanks to Natsu's warning.

"Now, you know my question, and I do not wish to repeat myself. I do not plan on leaving without information."

"He-he's in a village East of here. He stays there almost all the time, I swear!" The barkeep was stuttering and sweating profusely, whether from the heat or his menacing aura, he couldn't be sure.

"WHERE?" Natsu demanded.

"Uh, uh… it's called… R something… Row? Raltz? Rösch! It's called Rösch! He's the master of the guild there! I swear! It's called, um dark or night? Nightwing! It's called Nightwing! Please don't kill me!"

"Rösch…" Natsu growled. His fury was almost visible as he turned and left, only stopping briefly to kneel on the ground. The barkeep knew for absolute certainty now. The cloaked man stopped at the entrance, or what was left of it, placed a white burning hand on the ground, and stood up and left. This really was him…

Several Hours Later - Shadowstep Guildhall Remains

"Oh god, what just happened," one of the men waking up groaned. "My whole body feels like it's on fire."

All that could be heard were moans of pain, and the smell of burnt flesh was everywhere. The barkeep walked up to him with a bag of ice. "It was him…" he whispered

The man's eyes widened. "You don't mean…"

"Yeah," the barkeep responded, handing him the ice. "The White Crown."

Natsu's Location, 20 minutes after leaving Shadowstep

"Happy!" he shouted.

"You're back! Thank goodness! Was it ok? I don't see anyone with you?" Happy questioned, still extremely worried about the mission that made him feel uneasy.

"I'm fine, they were pushovers. I figured out why that request made me feel so uneasy…" Natsu responded, his eyes nearly burning the ground in rage.

"Natsu? What's wrong?"

"Barreth Porla… Leader of the dark guild Nightwing… Established and currently working out of a small village in Eastern Ishgar…"

Happy's eyes grew huge, and he could taste Natsu's fury. "Y-you don't mean…"

"The town of Rösch…" As soon as their eyes met, Happy knew this was bad. He wanted revenge just as much as Natsu did, but he also knew that Natsu was playing a dangerous game. There was no talking him out of this one.

"This is not good…" Happy muttered to himself, so low even Natsu didn't hear it, but that might be because of how loud the rage in his mind was.

It was a 3-day journey to Rösch from Violet. The two barely spoke more than a few words to each other the entire trip, which never happened. Even after the previous mission, after the man had killed himself, they were relatively chatty. Happy was the only family Natsu had that hadn't been killed in front of his eyes, and Natsu was the same for Happy. They spoke to no one but each other, yet still always talked. This was different. This was rage. The earth itself seemed terrified of what was to come.

They reached the river where Natsu had escaped following the destruction of Rösch. Natsu gazed into the same waters he had looked into 3 years ago.

Flashback

'It's time…' he thought to himself. 'My purpose is clear. I must kill him. The world beneath my feet shall burn until he dies. Should the gods themselves stand in my way, let them be enveloped by my father's flames.'

"It's time I fulfill the purpose I was put into this world for." He stepped out of the water igniting himself in the royal white flames of Igneel, and prepared to set out. The look in his eye was terrifying but empty. Full of rage and sorrow. He lost the first battles, but they were tests. He would not make the same mistake again. The war had begun, and the world beneath his feet would never cease to burn until that war was won.

Flashback End

"Natsu," Happy started, a serious look on his face that Natsu rarely saw. "I'm coming with you this time."

"Happy, we've gone over-"

"I'm going with you. This isn't your fight this time, Natsu. We both need this." Happy's tone alone left no room for argument. Natsu would have had to tie him to a tree surrounded by fire to keep him from following, and even then he'd show up anyway.

"Fine…" Natsu relented. He expected this. Somehow all those years ago, staring at this very lake, he knew. This day would come eventually. Natsu stood up and began walking towards the village.

"Happy?"

"What is it, Natsu."

"Thank you…"